Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) looks back toward the bench during the first half of an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018 in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

By Aaron Kasinitz | akasinitz@pennlive.com

Each week of the NFL season, I’ll take a look back at what we learned about the Baltimore Ravens in their previous game and ask a few questions that look ahead to the next contest. And at the bottom of this page, I’ll provide an update to the AFC North standings and some thoughts on where things stand in the division.

What we learned: The Ravens' tight ends can produce without Hayden Hurst

Bills Ravens Football

Baltimore Ravens tight end Maxx Williams (87) carries the ball during the second half of an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

The Ravens lost their projected starting tight end for at least a few weeks when Hayden Hurst underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot last month, but the rest of the players at his position picked up the slack in a season-opening win. Nick Boyle, Mark Andrews and Maxx Williams hauled in three receptions apiece against the Bills and helped give quarterback Joe Flacco extra options in the passing game.

What we're wondering: How will the Ravens attack the Bengals' style of defense?

The Bills’ defensive schemes are designed to take away an opponent’s deep passes, so the tight ends had plenty of space to work across the middle. The Bengals have a strong linebacking corps and put more pressure on tight ends to win one-on-one battles. So Thursday, it’ll be interesting to see what offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg drums up to attack the Bengals — and whether the tight ends can remain effective.